Lyr Add/Tune Req: The Serving Man

Subject: RE: Lyr Add/Tune Req: The Serving Man
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 01 May 21 - 04:44 PM

The earliest date we have for 'The Cruel Father' is 1836, as it is listed in Pitts, London, catalogue for that year.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add/Tune Req: The Serving Man
From: Reinhard
Date: 01 May 21 - 03:52 PM

Don't think so; in this version the lady isn't imprisoned by ber father behind an iron door.   Roud catalogues The Tragical Ballad; Or, the Lady Who Fell in Love With Her Serving-man as Roud V2183, while Her Servant Man / The Serving Man / The Raven's Feather is Roud 539 and Laws M15.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add/Tune Req: The Serving Man
From: Joe Offer
Date: 01 May 21 - 03:14 PM

Joe - do some cleanup

Is this the same song? https://ebba.english.ucsb.edu/ballad/32443/xml

https://hdl.huntington.org/digital/collection/p15150coll3/id/5558/

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Serving Man
From: Ged Fox
Date: 06 May 12 - 05:26 AM

"Ye Maidens Pretty" or "The Imprisoned Lady"
Words from Songs and Ballads of the West, S. Baring-Gould & co. 1895

Ye maidens pretty
In town and city,
I pray you pity
   My mournful strain.
A maiden weeping,
Her night-watch keeping,
In grief unsleeping
   Makes her complain:
In tower I languish
In cold and sadness,
Heart full of anguish,
   Eye full of tear;
While glades are ringing
With maidens singing,
Sweet roses bringing
   To crown the year.

Thro' hills and vallies
Thro' shaded alleys,
And pleached palis-
   Ading of grove;
Among fair bowers,
Midst fragrant flowers,
Pass sunny hours,
   And sing of love.
In tower I languish etc.

My cruel father
Gave strictest order,
By watch and warder
   I barred should be.
All in my chamber,
High out of danger,
From eye of stranger
   In misery.
In tower I languish etc.

Enclosed in mortar,
By wall and water,
A luckless daughter
   All white and wan;
Till day is breaking
My bed forsaking,
I all night waking
   Sing like the swan.
In tower I languish etc.

Sung here by Ged Fox
http://youtu.be/IVi_FM6r2j8

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Serving Man
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 20 Jun 01 - 08:17 AM

This song was widely popular, and turns up as The Cruel Father and Affectionate Lover, The Imprisoned Lady, The Daughter in a Dungeon, Love Laughs at Locksmiths and so on.  It's been found in England, Ireland and Canada.  As a result, there is more than one tune known for it.  I haven't heard of the band you mention; did they say anything about their sources?  No way of guessing at the tune until we know that.

As Nutty just mentioned, there's a set from Nova Scotia, with tune, in the DT: SINCE LOVE CAN ENTER AN IRON DOOR

There are a number of broadsides at  Bodleian Library Broadside Ballads,  titled variously Mary Ann and her Servant Man and The cruel father and affectionate lovers.

So far as identifying an "original" tune goes, that may well be impossible; unless the song can be traced to a presumed first appearance in print with tune.  If Bruce Olson doesn't have the information (I don't have time to check his site just now) then probably nobody has.

Just by way of a footnote, it's helpful if you can use the standard format when posting lyrics; makes it easier if they are eventually incorporated into the Digital Tradition database: full details are in the FAQ thread at the top of the main Forum page.  It's also helpful if you add any background information you may have, such as sleevenotes and recording details if you've taken the text from a record; both for other people in the future, and to aid searching now.

Malcolm

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Serving Man
From: nutty
Date: 20 Jun 01 - 03:58 AM

There is a version in the DT , together with the tune under "SINCE LOVE CAN ENTER AN IRON DOOR"

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Serving Man
From: GUEST,Terry Blankenship
Date: 20 Jun 01 - 03:31 AM

Nice lyrics to "The Serving Man". Any one have any idea of the original source of the lyrics and melody for this one (possibly by another title). Do any of you have the original melody in ABC form or regular music?

(This is a completely different song from "The Famous Flower of Serving Men".)

Terry

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Serving Man
From: GUEST,Terry
Date: 20 Jun 01 - 12:34 AM

Where is it at on Bruces site. I couldn't find it.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Serving Man
From: Sorcha
Date: 19 Jun 01 - 11:51 PM

Again, see and search Bruce O's site. It's there.

Subject: The Serving Man
From: GUEST,Terry Blankenship
Date: 19 Jun 01 - 11:31 PM

Another song from the Gabriel Hounds CD. I was wondering if any of you are familiar with the original source lyrics and melody for this one (possibly by another title). Do any of you have the original melody in ABC form or regular music?

Terry

THE SERVING MAN

Oh, 'tis of a damsel both fair and handsome
This story's true or so I've been told
By the banks of Shannon in a lofty mansion
Her father gathered great stores of gold

With many a noble he strove to mate her
And still his counsel was always one
For with the folly that belongs to nature
Her mind was set on the serving man

And as these true lovers were fondly talking
Her father heard them and near them drew
And when he learned what they were discoursing
In anger home he then swiftly flew

To build a dungeon was his intention
To part true lovers conceived a plan
He swore an oath by all that's high and holy
He'd part his daughter from the serving man

So he built a dungeon of bricks and mortar
A single stair it was underground
And the food he gave her was bread and water
No other comfort for her was found

And every day he would sorely scold her
Till to her father she thus began
Oh father father won't you relent now
And let me marry my serving man

When young Edward found out her habitation
It was secured by an iron door
Then he swore an oath in spite of all the nation
He'd gain her freedom or ride no more

And at his leisure he told with pleasure
To gain the freedom of Mary Anne
And when at length he had gained his treasure
She cried my faithful young serving man

When her father found out that she was vanished
Was like a lion he soon did roar
Saying from green Erin ye shall be banished
I'll draw my sword and you'll ride no more

Agreed said Edward I freed your daughter
I'm glad I did it, do all you can
But forgive your daughter I'll die with pleasure
The one at fault is the serving man

When her father found him so tender hearted
Was then he fell to the dungeon floor
Saying no true lovers should e'er be parted
Since love can conquer an iron door

Now there is one to be parted never
In robes and riches this couple can
And the fine young lady can live in pleasure
Contented with her serving man